Amanda lost 64kg, and was left with a ‘puddle’ of skin

In this photo, the extent of Amanda's loose skin is clear to see.Source:Supplied

A BRAVE mum has opened up about how she had almost two metres of loose skin removed from her tummy so she could be a better parent.

Amanda Roberts had a gastric bypass after tipping the scales at 146kg and realising that she was kidding herself pretending she was a happy plus-size person.

Sarah prior to her gastric band surgery, and following her excess skin removal procedure. Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

The 23-year-old, who had her daughter in 2014, said: “When Talia started walking, I could barely keep up with her.

“I had such intense back pains from my weight that I could barely carry her, and even just playing on the ground with her exhausted me.

“I knew that I’d have to get my health on track if I wanted to be the best mum I could be for her.”

Amanda with her daughter. Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

Motherhood helped Amanda see that her lifestyle choices weren’t just affecting her — but her child’s future health and happiness.

She added: “For a long time, I thought I felt OK. It wasn’t until after I had my daughter that I realised how depressed I really was.

“I had tried so many ways to lose weight that never worked, so I had pretty much given up on trying and was ready to just live contently as a plus size person.

Amanda at her heaviest, and then after the weight loss (but with excess skin). Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

“I shut myself in the house all of the time, didn’t want to go anywhere, didn’t want to talk to anyone, mostly because I was ashamed of how much weight I had gained.

“There is a period of about five years where I refused to be in almost any pictures, so I have very few pictures with my daughter the first year of her life.

After a fundraising campaign, Amanda began to undergo skin removing procedures to get rid of the excess skin. Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

“I was just tired and unhappy, and that’s not how I wanted to be as a mum and person, especially since I was only 21 years old.”

Amanda started by overhauling her diet, ditching junk food and sugary drinks, and having weight loss surgery.

Amanda grapples with her excess skin before her op.Source:Supplied

She lost 64kg in 18 months, but her rapid change of shape meant she was left with nearly 20kg of excess skin hanging from her stomach, legs and arms.

Undeterred, she asked friends and strangers for cash and raised $12,840 for skin removal surgery.

These photos show just how much skin Amanda was left with after her gastric band.Source:Supplied

When she reached her target, she went under the knife and had almost two metres of skin removed from her stomach thanks to a fleur de lis tummy tuck.

Amanda now weighs 81kg, and will soon head to Tijuana in Mexico for more skin removal surgery on her arms, back and breasts — which she hopes will put an end to the rashes and sores caused from the loose skin.

“After about 18 months post op, the effects of the gastric bypass start to wear off and it’s basically relying on your new healthy lifestyle to keep you going.”

Her new lease of life hasn’t only made her a better mum, it’s made her a better role model, and she is now preaching self-love and acceptance to other people through her Instagram account, mandas_muffintop.

Amanda’s journey has been a long and painful one. Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

She said:” I’m more confident than ever!

“I know I’ve worked hard for my current body, and that makes me love it that much more!

Amanda and her daughter Tahlia. Picture: Jam PressSource:Supplied

“I’ve always tried my best to practice self-love. That is part of what got me started on my journey to health, and what most of my IG posts are about.